Airplane Travel

By: Maya Schenne

Have you ever been on an airplane? If you haven’t, I will show you the step to step process of airplane travel. Those who have been on an airplane before, feel free to compare your own experiences to this. All airports are different. When you first arrive at the airport, you take your luggage to the counter. They weight it, and you put a tag on it with your name. They put it on a conveyor belt behind the counter, and that takes it to the place where they load it onto the plane. Then, you take your carry-on (if you have one) and go to your gate. But first, you must go through security.

Security is the part that takes the longest. First, you must wait in line until you reach a stand with a security guard. They check your ID and plane tickets. Then, you get into the line to go through the metal detector. You put your bag on the conveyor belt and take off your shoes, belt, jacket, etc. You also have to take all the change out of your pockets. Make sure you don’t have any metal on you. If for some reason you have a metal hip, leg, etc., you tell the security guard and you use a different metal detector.

Some airports let you leave your shoes on. The airport in Phoenix lets you keep your shoes on, but the airport in Omaha, Nebraska, makes you take your shoes off. They all have different rules. After security, you might have a little time before your flight leaves. Most airports have restaurants where you can get food because airplane food is expensive. One flight I was on, a little container of Pringles cost eight dollars.

After you get some food, you go towards your gate. They start loading the plane by group numbers. I was in group six out of the nine groups. While you wait, there are rows of chairs to sit on. Most airports have places to charge your phone, too. Once they call your group number, you go to the counter with your tickets. The person scans your ticket and lets you on the plane.

You walk down the tunnel towards the plane with your carry-on. Sometimes, you might not have a tunnel, so you have to walk outside and up a staircase to board the plane. They have those more in warmer weather places. They had one at the Mesa Airport once. Once you board the plane, you have to find your seat.

Usually, there are three seats on both sides. Some planes have two. The first-class section usually only has three or four rows of two. Once you find your seat, put your bigger carry-on in the overhead bin. If you only have one (and it fits under your seat) you can keep it with you. As soon as you sit down, put your seatbelt on.

As you wait for the plane to take off, you can read the safety manual in the pocket on the seat in front of you. There is usually a safety manual, a magazine, a paper bag, and a food menu in the pocket. The flight attendants show you a demonstration of everything covered in the safety manual. As the plane is taking off, you aren’t allowed to have large electronic devices on (laptops, tablets, etc.) You can have your phone, as long as it’s in airplane mode. Your ears will pop from the change in elevation. You can chew gum, or pop your ears by plugging your nose and blowing. Either one will work.

While the plane is in the air, you can get out your laptop, tablet, etc. or do other activities like reading or drawing. The flight attendants will come around with a cart and you can get something to drink. You can also order food, but that costs money. You can move around, but while you sitting, you have to keep your seatbelt on. There is a bathroom in the back of the plane and sometimes in the front.

As the plane is preparing to land, you have to be in your seat with your seatbelt fastened. Your ears will pop again. When the plane touches the ground, you aren’t allowed to get out of your seat until the seatbelt sign turns off. When it does, you can get up and get your carry-on out from the overhead bin. If you are sitting in the back, you have to wait for everyone in front of you to leave.

After you get off of the plane, you have to go to the baggage claim to get your suitcase. You don’t have to go through security this time. Once you get your suitcase, you can leave the airport. You have successfully survived an airplane flight. Now, you can tell all your friends that you’re an airport pro.